Connector means



March 1967 R. E. KIRK ETAL CONNECTOR MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1965 INVENTORS Pose/er E. K/EK JOHN E. Luaaer 2L 1%? R. E. KIRK ETAL 3,310,772

CONNECTOR MEANS Filed March (50, 1965 2 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTORS ROBERT E. KIRK JOHN R. LUBER T w mi Mim United States Patent 3,310,772 CONNECTGR MEANS 7 Robert E. Kirk and John R. Lubert, both of Warren,

Qhio, assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mien, a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 443,938 6 Claims. (Cl. 339217) This invention relates to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to equalization of pressure applied by terminal means, usable with connector bodies that receive relatively flat and narrow blade-like conductors.

During connection to mate with opposite sides of a flat conductor, a problem is encountered to insure that pressure is applied as equally as possible. Also, usage of terminal means can result in components thereof being spread apart :in an unequal manner when engaged by a flat conductor. Accordingly an object'of the present invention is to provide connector means including a connector body with :multiple cavities or passages that receive terminals each having an external squared or box configuration to guard against overstressing.

Another object of this invention is to provide'a terminal means to mate with a flat conductor by means of two folded back. spring members or tongue portions which apply pressure to both sides of the flat conductor as equally as possible due to restraint in each of opposite lateral locations of the spring members or tongue portions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a unitary terminal means to mate with a flat conductor by means of opposite folded back spring members or tongue portions substantially parallel to each other within confines of a squared or box transverse portion which interconnects the spring members or tongue portions on one lateral side thereof and having a free end of the transverse portion positioned tightly against an underside of one tongue portion in a location adjacent to a slit between a stop and offset locking tab also integral therewith.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a terminal means made from a one-piece blank integrally including a body portion of metal having a transverse portion substantially parallel to at least a pair of crimp wing portions integral with the body portion in a location remote from a first tongue portion, the first tongue portion extending longitudinally of the body portion at a location substantially intermediate the transverse portion having a tapered edge free end and an opposite integral ending that includes a second tongue portion substantially parallel to the first tongue portion, the second tongue portion having a position longitudinally away from a centrally slit extension defining a stop and offset projection,'each of the tongue portions at free ends thereof being positioned opposite each other within confines of a squared or box configuration that includes the transverse portion with tapered edge free end that is positioned adjacent to an underside of the first tongue portion.

Another object of the present invention is, to provide connector means including a connector body having multiple cavities or passages substantially parallel to each other though each having an L-shaped opening at one end due to an arcuate-surfaced shoulder forming means as well as having a further shoulder engaged by an offset locking tab portion of a metal terminal body integrally including a transverse portion having a pair of spring tongue portions extending substantially parallel to each other from the transverse portion in a direction opposite to that of the locking tab portion, one of the tongue portions engaging the arcuate-surfaced shoulder forming means, the transverse portion having a free end at a location remote from juncture of the tongue portions with the transverse portion though positioned tightly against an underside Patented Mar. 21, 1967 of one tongue portion as a limit for spreading movement of tongue portions substantially equal in distance maintained in a laterally opposite location by the transverse portion, the transverse portion having a' box or squared configunation as well as being integral with further terrninal body structure including at least a pair of conductor crimping wings also transverse to the terminal body.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an end view of a connector body of insulation material for use in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a crosssectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of a metal blank for one type of female terminal means usable in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a side view of terminal means made from the blank of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is an end view in the direction of arrow 6 in FIGURE 5. I

FIGURE 7 is an end view in the direction of arrow 7 in FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view in the direction of arrow 8 in FIGURE 5.

In FIGURE 1 there is shown a connector body generally indicated by numeral 10 having an enlarged end L2 also visible in FIGURE 2 as well as integral walls or partitioning 14 and housing 16. A plurality of passages 24 extend therethrough each capable of receiving terminal means subsequently described herein and outlined in part in FIGURE 3. Each passage 24 has arcuately-surfaced shoulder forming means 30 at one end thereof and a further shoulder 36 in an intermediate location on one side thereof internally of the insulating material. The arcuately-surfaced shoulder forming means 30 form a guide for central insertion of a flat harness conductor or narrow male blade engage-able with the terminal means of FIG- URES 4 through 8 inclusive. Each passage 24 has a substantially L-shaped opening at one end thereof as can be seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings. In FIGURE 1 a total of twenty-one passages 24 are shown though it is to be understood that the number of passages can be varied.

FIGURE 4 of the drawings shows a plan view of a metal blank having a body portion 60 as well as first and second side wing portions 61 and 62 respectively, which are bent into a substantially U-shaped configuration illustrated in FIGURE 7. The terminal body portion 60 further includes an integral transverse portion 64 including an integral locking tab 65 which is provided with a tapered ending 66 flared outwardly in a location adjacent to a stop member 67 separated therefrom by a slit 68 as can be seen in views of FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings. FIGURE 6 of the drawings also shows the ending 66 of the projection 65. The transverse portion 64 is bent into a squared or box configuration as can be seen in views of FIGURES 6 and 7. A pair of tongue or contact engaging portions 71 and 72 extend longitudinally of the body portion and integrally from the transverse portion 64 in a direction away from the side wings 61 and 62 as illustrated in the blank of FIGURE 4. These tongue portions are bent inwardly and rearwardly to terminate in a pair of angularly extending ends 73 and 74 as can be seen in the view of FIGURE 5. The end 73 abuts against stop member 67 at least during insertion of a flat conductor. End 74 abuts against body portion 60. Suitable fiat conductor means exemplified by a narrow blade or flat harness member can be fitted resiliently and snugly in a gap 75 between the tongue portions 71 and 72 which exert resilient pressure as substantially equal as possible. This gap 75 is illustrated and seen best in views of FIG URES 5 and 6 of the drawings.

The integral transverse portion 64 has an ending 64E with slanted edges. This ending 64E represents termination of a squared or box confinement of the tongue portions therein due to positioning of the ending 64E against an underside of the one tongue portion 71 in a location immediately adjacent to the termination of slit 68 between stop 67 and the locking tab 65 having the tapered ending 66. The tapered ending 64E of the transverse portion 64 is positioned tightly against the underside of the tongue portion 71 in a location adjacent to slit 68 between the stop 67 and offset locking tab 65. Thus the transverse portion 64 forms a squared or box configuration integral laterally between tongue portions 71 and 72 on one side and positioned substantially equally on the opposite lateral location due to engagement of ending 64E against the tongue portion 71 to insure that pressure is applied as equally as possible by the tongue portions that pass through the squared box configuration subject to limitation of spread of gap 75 by presence of ending 64E and angular ends 73-74 as represented particularly in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.

The female terminal structure shown could be used for vehicle flat harness termination though it is particularly advantageous as a multiconnector for automatic timers of appliances. The terminal means can mate with a flat harness conductor or narrow male blade inserted into gap 75 between the two folded back spring members or tongue portions 71-72 which apply pressure resiliently to both sides of the flat conductor or blade. The ending 64E is an additional portion of the metal terminal body formed across the side opposite the solid interconnection of transverse portion 64 between the tongue portions 71 72 to further insure that pressure is applied as equally as possible by the spring members or tongue portions. The ending 64E or additional portion restrains the spring members or tongue portions and prevents their being spread apart in an unequal manner when a flat conductor or narrow blade is fitted into gap 75 therebetween. The locking tab 6566 projects to engage shoulder 36 of the connector body as a restraint against removal of the terminal means therefrom in one direction in normal use and to keep the terminal means in the necessary position for connection with a suitable flat conductor. In an opposite direction removal of the terminal means is prevented by engagement of one of the tongue portions against arcuate surfaced shoulder forming means 30 as indicated in FIGURE 3. This engagement of shoulder forming means 39 occurs in a location remote from the terminal wire crimping wing portions. Thus only one locking tab 65-66 is bent laterally outwardly into an offset location for shoulder engagement and yet the terminal means is firmly positioned in the connector body 20. Thus added stability and equalization of pressure is assured by features in accordance with the present invention.

The two folded back spring members or tongue portions 71-72 terminating in ends 73 and 74, respectively, provide adjacent contact surfaces which initially have angular displacement of substantially four degrees from a horizontal or longitudinal plane between each other subject to engagement of a male blade or terminal longitudinally therebetween. FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings illustrate this other than parallel positioning of the contact surfaces. A male terminal M is outlined in FIGURE 3 prior to insertion longitudinally between these diverging contact surfaces. A central reinforcing or strengthening rib means R is provided as longitudinally embossed into the body portion 60 of the terminal means. This rib means R extends from a location substantially intermediate at least the opposite wing portions 61 to a position terminating laterally within limits of the transverse portion 64. The rib means R can be seen in views of FIG- URES 4, 5, 7 and 8.

Suitable external latching portions can be provided laterally on opposite sides of the connector body 10 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. The latching portions are designated by references and respectively in these views. The latching portion 40 includes a substantially L-shaped configuration integral with the body portion at one end thereof by a merging connection 42 to the body at one end and including a resiliently deflectable arm 44 on which external detent ribs or barbs 46 are provided. The latching portion 50 includes a pair of substantially parallel lateral extensions 52 which can fit complementary to mounting provision on an appliance. The detent ribs or barbs 46 can also mate with corresponding abutments or other detent structure complementary thereto on the appliance and the like. It is to be understood that while a pair of extensions 52 are shown that the body portion latch means 50 could also have a single intermediate or centrally located extension for use with the resilient arm and barb configuration at an opposite end. The arm 44 can be deflected at a free end thereof to disengage the latching barbs from the mounting provision. The one or more extensions 52 add stability during the latching engagement and disengagement of the connector means. It is to be understood that the connector means per se can also be used without the latching portions.

While the embodiments of the present invention herein disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A terminal means that mates with a flat conductor, comprising, a body portion having at least one pair of wiring crimp wings integral therewith, a transverse portion in an intermediate location of said body portion, a pair of resilient tongue portions located substantially parallel of each other and folded back adjacent said transverse portion, said tongue portions extending from a same edge of said transverse portion, one of said tongue portions having longitudinal alignment with said body portion, a locking tab integral with said transverse portion also and longitudinally in alignment with a second of said tongue portions, and an additional portion of said transverse portion in a location tightly against an underside of one tongue portion, said additional portion being located laterally inwardly to assure substantially equal formation of box configuration which restrains said tongue portions against excessive separation.

2. The terminal means of claim 1 wherein the locking tab is offset laterally and a stop is separated therefrom by a slit integrally provided in alignment with the second tongue portions, said tongue portions each having an angularly extending end, one of said ends engaging said body portion and the other engaging said stop.

3. The terminal means of claim 1 wherein said additional portion has tapered edging.

4. The terminal means of claim 1 wherein the locking tab is offset laterally and a shorter stop is separated therefrom by a slit provided in alignment with the second tongue portion, said tongue portions each having an angularly extending end, one of said ends engaging said body portion and the other engaging said stop, said additional portion having tapered edging that terminates at a location longitudinally in alignment with said slit.

5. The terminal means of claim 1 wherein said tongue portions having termination other than in parallel relation and a strengthening rib means is provided in said body portion in a location substantially longitudinally of said tongue portions to one side thereof.

6. The terminal means of claim 1 wherein said body portion has reinforcing rib means integral therewith extending from said transverse portion to said crimp wings,

5 6 one of said tongue portions terminating adjacentto said 3,083,345 3/1963 Scheller 339-47 rib means. 3,188,600 6/ 1965 Woofter et a1 339-47 3,267,410 8/1966 Baer et a1 339176 X References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. 2,834,951 5/1958 Aquilion et a1 339-417 DONALD MILLER, Examiner- 

1. A TERMINAL MEANS THAT MATES WITH A FLAT CONDUCTOR, COMPRISING, A BODY PORTION HAVING AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF WIRING CRIMP WINGS INTEGRAL THEREWITH, A TRANSVERSE PORTION IN AN INTERMEDIATE LOCATION OF SAID BODY PORTION, A PAIR OF RESILIENT TONGUE PORTIONS LOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL OF EACH OTHER AND FOLDED BACK ADJACENT SAID TRANSVERSE PORTION, SAID TONGUE PORTIONS EXTENDING FROM A SAME EDGE OF SAID TRANSVERSE PORTION, ONE OF SAID TONGUE PORTIONS HAVING LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID BODY PORTION, A LOCKING TAB INTEGRAL WITH SAID TRANSVERSE PORTION ALSO AND LONGITUDINALLY IN ALIGNMENT WITH A SECOND OF SAID 